Diabetes decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information on the Veteran's income and medical expenses, which is necessary for a full decision.

The Veteran's increased disability evaluations for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and bilateral hearing loss are denied. The Veteran’s diabetes requires an oral hypoglycemic agent, insulin at least once a day, and restricted diet but not regulation of activities. His bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted a TDIU from January 2014, but dismissed the appeal for October 25, 2018 onwards due to the Veteran's combined disability rating of 100%.

The Board denied service connection for arteriosclerotic heart disease and type II diabetes mellitus as due to exposure to herbicides, as there is no evidence of such exposure on Okinawa.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development, including missing notification letters regarding VA examinations. The issues include diabetes mellitus, left knee disability, and pes planus.

The Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevented him from performing tasks involving frequent standing or walking. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral vascular disease and venous insufficiency of the lower extremities, diabetic nephropathy, type 2 diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathies of both upper and lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction, are rated at a combined 90 percent. The Board finds that these conditions reasonably preclude participation in substantially gainful employment due to their severity.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and diabetic neuropathy were denied increased ratings.,TDIU was granted from July 24, 2014 to July 15, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinea pedis, bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO is to obtain private treatment records from Dr. Seiglman, schedule a VA examination for his bilateral hearing loss, determine if his diabetes mellitus is related to Camp Lejeune exposure, and conduct another VA examination to assess any acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right upper extremity neuropathy, a cardiac disability, and type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The cardiac disability claim was granted based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents. Service connection for type II diabetes mellitus remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and diabetic neuropathy as the evidence did not establish a nexus to service or any presumptive period.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus due to new evidence showing potential exposure while serving aboard USS Midway in Vietnam's territorial waters. The claim for service connection for polyneuropathy is also remanded as it may be derivative of the diabetes mellitus claim.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, ischemic heart disease, and cause of death (due to congestive heart failure) are granted as service-connected. PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not service connected as there was no in-service diagnosis or manifestation of the condition, and it did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, diabetic retinopathy, and kidney failure are not secondary to diabetes mellitus and are not otherwise related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The examiner found that the Veteran's hypertension was aggravated by his diabetes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus type II and a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction prior to June 5, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes did not require regulation of activities warranting a higher rating, and there is no evidence of a penile deformity prior to June 5, 2018 for erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential herbicide exposure and/or diabetes mellitus, as well as other conditions. The VA is instructed to verify the Veteran's exposure history and obtain an addendum opinion regarding his diabetes diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes, hypertension, and various neurologic conditions in the upper and lower extremities have been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to establish service connection due to lack of in-service onset or exposure.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus, bilateral leg disability (peripheral neuropathy), bilateral foot disability, shoulder disabilities, elbow disability, knee disability, and hand/finger disability have all been denied. The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence to support the conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.